Fishing apparatus.



170.: 757,077. 7 PATENTED APR. 12, 1904.

v F. B. WHIPPLE.

FISHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 17, 1902.

:70 MODEL.

UNITED, STATES? Patented April 12, 1904.

PATENT A OF ICE.

FISHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 757,077, dated April12, 1904*..

I i Application filed November 17, 1902. Serial No. 131,774. (No model.)

1'0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. VVHIIPLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Greneseo, in the county of Livingston and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fishing Apparatus;and I do declare the following tobe a full, clear', and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improved fishing apparatus especially adapted for usein connection with fishing-lines, whether for still fishing or trolling,but also adapted for use in connection with nets and other devices; andit consists in the peculiar form and construction of devices hereinafterfully described, and pointed out in the appended claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a fishing apparatus having abattery and an electrically-operated luminous lure, such as a miniatureincandescent electric lamp, operable thereby, connected to the line andadapted to be cast into the water together to avoid the necessity ofemploying conductors of inconvenient length between the battery and thelure-lamp, as has been heretofore necessary in devices of this class.

A further object of my invention is to connect a buoyant device, one ormore, to the battery to partially sustain the weight of the latter inthe water to relieve the line or tackle of the otherwise inconvenientweight of the battery while fishing.

A further object of my invention is to ef fect improvements in theconnection between the hook or victim-detaining device and the lure-lampto prevent the latter from being broken while fishing.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of thefishing-tackle provided with an apparatus embodying my improvements.Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating a modification. Fig. 3 is asimilar view illustrating another modification.

In the embodiment of my invention I provide a battery 1, which may be ofany suitable kind and form and which is attached to the line or tackleor other fishingdevice used and thrown overboard when theline is cast.

As shown in Fig. l, the battery 1 is provided at its extremities withcorks 2 to partially sustain the weight of the latter in the water torelieve the line or tackle of the otherwise inconvenient weight or pullof the battery while fishing. Conducting-wires 3, properly insulated,lead from the poles of the battery to the' lure-lamp. 4, which is hereshown as a miniature incandescent lamp of well-known type. Therespective conducting-wires are .separated for a suitable distance fromthe lure-lamp by a spreader 5, which may be a cork or any othersuitable'device either of cylindrical or othersuitable form.

' The victim-detaining device shown in Fig.

1 is a fly having a hook 6. "In Fig. 2 there are a plurality of hooks 7.The victim-detaining device is connected by a snell 8 to a spring 10,which is slidable on one of the conducting-wires between the lamp andthe spreader, forms a cushion, and when the hook is taken by the fishprevents the lamp or the globe thereof from being broken by the eiiortsof the fish to escape.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings the conductingwires between the battery andthe lure-lamp are provided with a loop 11 for the attachment of thefishing-line a and with the circuitcloser 12, by means of which thebattery-current may be established or broken at will.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings the globe of the electric light is shown as inthe form of a glass minnow 4:: It will be understood that the lure-lampmay be of any suitable form, and I do not limit myself in thisparticular.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it is thought that the construction, operation,and advantages of my improved fishing apparatus will be readilyunderstood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion,and the minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the principle orsacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is i 1. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a lure, a victim-detaining device, and a slidableconnection between them, said slidable connection including a yieldableelement, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a victim-detaining device, an electric lamp, abattery connected thereto, and buoyant means to partially sustain theWeight of the battery in the water, substantially as described.

3. Fishing apparatus provided with a battery having a light-emittingluring element operated thereby, buoyant means to partially sustain theweight of the battery in the water, and a victim-detaining element,substantially as described.

4. A fishing-line having a battery, buoyant means to partially sustainthe Weight of the battery in the water, a light-emitting luring elementoperated by the battery, and a victimdetaining element, substantially asdescribed.

5. Fishing apparatus including a battery, buoyant means to partiallysustain the weight of the battery in the water, and a luminous lureoperated by the battery, substantially as described. i p

6. A fishing apparatus including a battery and an electrically luminouslure operated thereby, closely connected thereto and adapted to be castinto the water therewith, substantially as described.

7. A fishing apparatus having a battery and an electrically-luminouslure operable thereby, connected thereto and adapted to be cast into thewater therewith, substantially as described.

8. A fishing apparatus having a battery, an electric lamp operatedthereby, and a victimdetaining device, all connected and adapted to beplaced in the water together, substantially as described.

9. A fishing-line having a battery, an electric lamp operated thereby, avictim-detaining device, all connected together and adapted to be castin the Water, and buoyant means to partially sustain the weight of thebattery in the water and correspondingly lessen the pull thereof on theline, substantially as described.

10. A fishing apparatus comprising an electric light, a battery and abait, all closely connected and adapted to be placed in the watertogether, and a line attached thereto, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WM. L. S. OLMSTED, CHAs. A. GIBSON.

